Control apparatus



R. E. Dl VETTE 2,334,910

CONTRQL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 13, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m0- r: an .oo.

Nov. 23, 1943.

- INVENTOR. flauaolph. Rowan. BY M AiIOJtnQy- Nov. 23, 1943. R. E. D! VETTE 2,334,910

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 13, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qanflo'lph. E. mwna. BY 1 Afiorney- Nov. 23, 1943.

R. E. D! VETTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 13, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 23, 1943 CONTROL APPARATUS Randolph E. Di Vette, Minneapolis, Minn., as-

signor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application September 13, 1941, Serial No. 410,790

17 Claims.

The present invention isconcerned with a motorized mechanism and more particularly one adapted to position a member movable between a safe first position and an active second position.

In many instances it is desirable to utilize a motor to position a device which is movable between a safe normal position and an active position. Thus one typical instance is that of a motorized valve controlling the flow of gas to a,

gas burner or the flow of other heating fluid to a heating apparatus. In such a case, the valve is biased to closed position to insure the return of the valve to this position in the event of power failure. Another type of device of this character is a switch which is .active only when it is closed. It is desirable in case of failure of the switch actuating mechanism for the switch to be moved to its circuit openor its safe position. The present invention is concerned with an arrangement wherein a motor positions such an element, the arrangement being particularly adaptable to the positioning of a valve.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in a control system for a motor adapted to drive a device from a safe position to an active position, improved means for insuring the return of the device to its safe position in the event a control condition reaches a limiting value.

A'further object of the invention is to construct a motorized valve mechanism whereby the valve may be opened either manually or automatically, with means for insuring closure of the valve whenever a control condition reaches a limiting valve, regardless of whether the valve was opened manually or automatically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motor operator mechanism for a control device including an electrical motor and a oneway braking mechanism associated therewith. and an electrical clutch connecting the motor and brake with the control device, whereby the control device may be driven from a safe position to an active position by energization of the motor and the clutch, and held in its active position by the brake after deenergization of the motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved and simplified control circuits for motorized valves.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims, and drawings, in which Figure 1 represents somewhat diagrammatically a preferred form of control-system embodying my invention, v

Figure 2 represents a front elevation of a motor and control unit embodying the form of my invention illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1,

Figure 3 represents an end elevation of the unit shown in Figure 2, looking from the left in that figure, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clarity;

Figure 4 represents a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 5 illustrates, somewhat diagrammatically, a difierent type of control system embodying my invention.

Figures 1 to 4 Figure 1 shows a system for heating the air in a space Ill including a furnace ll having a fuel burner I2. A valve i3 controls the supply of fuel to the burner [2.

Valve I3 is operated by means of a stem i4, pivotally connected, as at IE, to a lever arm IS. The lever arm I6 is pivotally supported as at 20, on a shaft 2| (Figures 2 and 3). The shaft 2i is mounted between two bracket plates 22 and 23 which supports the various parts of the motor and control unit.

A spring 24, or other suitable biasing means, acts on the lever arm l6 and tends to maintain it in a position wherein the valve I3 is closed. A motor 25 is provided which may operate the lever arm It so as to move the valve [3 to open position. Operation of motor 25 is controlled by the thermostat 26 located in the space I0.

Motor 25 drives the lever arm l6 through a pair of clutch members 30 and 3|. Clutch member 30 is connected to the rotor of the motor 25, while clutch member 3| is mounted on the shaft of an elongated pinion 32. Pinion 32 drives the first gear of a train, generally indicated at 33. A link 34 is pivotally attached to the final gear 35 of the train 33. The other end of the link 33 is pivotally connected to one end of the lever arm l6.

Motor 25 is provided with a rotor 21 and a field winding 28. Fixed on the shaft of rotor 21 is a ratchet wheel 36. A pawl 31, mounted on the bracket plate 22, engages the ratchet wheel 36 so as to prevent reverse rotation of the rotor 21.

The pinion 32 is rigidly secured to short shaft 4i and telescopingly fits over the stub end of a shaft 40. Shaft 40 also carries one of the gears of the train 33, and is journalled in the bracket plate 23. The shaft 4| also carries clutch memshaft 4|, collar 42, and pinion 32 with respect to the shaft 40 and the gear train 33 so as to cause engagement or disengagement of the clutch member 3| with the clutch member 39.

Clutch member 3| is provided with a pair of upstruck vanes 29, which slow its rotation by the resistance of the air to rapid movements of the vanes.

Yoke 43 is mounted on the end of a lever 44. Lever 44 is pivoted on a shaft 45 carried by a pair of brackets 46 mounted on the plate 22. Also pivoted on the shaft 45 is an armature 41 adapted to cooperate with an electromagnet 48. A strain release spring 50 biases the lever 44 into engagement with the armature 41, so that the two elements normally move as a unit. The armature 41 carries an insulating member which supports a bridging contact member 52. The contact member 52 is forked into three fingers which cooperate with stationary contacts 53, 54 and 55. The armature 41 is biased into a position wherein the contact member 52-is disengaged from the stationary contacts 53, 54

and 55. This biasing is done by means of a spring 58, shown-diagrammatically in Figure 1. but omitted from Figures 3 and 4 for the sake of clarity.

An extension 80 is provided on the end of the lever arm |5 so that the valve |3 may be operated manually to open position in the event that the power has failed, or for some other reason the motor 25 is not operative. A second manually operable lever 8| is provided for latching the valve in open position after it has been moved there by the lever 50. The lever 6| is pivoted on the bracket plate 22, as at 58, and is movable between two stops 68 and 59. In the position shown in the drawing, the lever 3| is in its unlatched position, and engages the stop 88. Rotation of the lever 8| in a counter-clockwise direction from its unlatched position to its latched position, wherein it engages stop 69 causes its lower end 59 to engage the armature "and move it towards its attracted position sufllciently far flexible contacts 13 and 14 and causes them to separate from their. ,associated stationary contacts l5 and 13. A screw 80 is threaded through a portion of the lever 1| and extends into proximity with an extension on the lever 44. The

construction is such that as the lever 1| moves in a clockwise direction under the influence of the actuator III, the screw 80 will engage the end of extension 8| and move the lever 44 in such a direction as to separate the clutch members 39 and 3 Means including a screw 18 are provided for adjusting the tension on the spring 12. The tension on this spring determines the temperature within the furnace II at which sumcient pressure is produced in the bulb 95 and bellows 61 to cause opening of the switches 'I3-|5 and 14-48. Similarly, adjustment of the screw 99 determines the temperature within the furnace II which is sufiicient to force disengagement of the clutch 303| by operation of lever 44 through screw 80.

Since the normal operation of the system is electrical, the 'screws- 18 and 89 are usually set so that the switches 13-15 and 14-16 will be opened at a lower temperature than that which causes screw 80 to mechanically disengage clutch members 39 and 3|. The mechanical disengagement of the clutch by the'limit control occurs only in emergencies when such adjustment of thescrews l8 and 80 are made.

A limit switch 82 is provided for deenergizing the motor field winding 28 when the valve. I3

that clutch members 39 and 3| are engaged.

Since the clutch member 39 is prevented from reverse rotation by the bracket and pawl 96 and 31., the valve l3 cannot then move to closed position under the influence of the spring 24.

An insulating plate 82 is mounted on the lever 8|. When the lever 6| is moved to its latching position, the plate 82 engages a flexible switchmember 63 and moves it into engagement with a stationary switch member 64.

Limit control means are provided for causing closure of the valve in the event of the occurrence of a dangerous condition within the furnace way ofexample, as comprising a bulb 65 containing a volatile fluid whose pressure varies with the temperature in the furnace. If a hot air furnace is used such as the one disclosed in the drawings, the bulb 65 is mounted in the bonnet of the furnace. Bulb 35 is connected by a tube 89 to a bellows 61. Bellows 61 is mounted within a suitable protective casing 'll. Bellows 81 carries an actuator 19 which engages a lever A spring I2 biases the lever ll into engagement with the actuator III. A switch structure, comprising a pair of flexible blades 13 and 14, selfformer 88 having a primary winding 81 and a secondary winding 88. Primary winding 81 may be connected to any commercial source of power, and secondary winding 88 is connected to the control system.

Thermostat 28 comprises a bimetallic element 90 supporting a pair of movabl switch fingers 9| and 92. Stationary switch contacts 93 and 94 are positioned for engagement by -the contacts 9| and 92, respectively. The construction i such that upon a drop in temperature, the switch fingers 9| and 92. are moved counter-clockwise, as indicated by the legend in the drawing. Contacts 92 and 94 are spaced more widely than This limit control means is shown, by

biased into engagement with a pair of stationary other words, the temperature of the space I0 is above the value which the thermostat 28 has been set to maintain, and the thermostat is therefore not calling for heat. The valve I3 is therefore closed, and the furnace is not in operation.

Let it be assumed that the temperature of the,

space l9 drops with the result that the bidmetallic element 99 moves the contacts 9| and 92 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby sequentially engaging first the contacts 9| and 93 and thenthe contacts 92 and 94. When the contacts 8| and 93 engage, no circuit is completed and therefore no operation of the control system immediately follows.

When contacts 92 and 94 engage, however, an energizing circuit is completed for the electromagnet 48. This circuit may be traced from the upper terminal of transformer secondary winding 88 through conductors I and IOI, contact 93, switch fingers 8| and 92, contact 94, a conductor I02, switch members and 13, a conductor I03, electromagnet 48, and conductors I04 and I 05 to the lower terminal of transformer secondary winding 88. I

Energization of the electromagnet 48 causes armature 41 to be attracted, thereby moving switch member 52 into engagement with contacts 53, 54 and '55.

Engagement of contacts 53 and 55 with bridging contact member 52 completes a holding circuit for electromagnet 48 which is independent of contacts 92 and 94. This circuit may be traced from the upper terminal of secondary winding 88 through conductors I00 and IOI, contact 93,

switch finger 9|, bimetallic element 90, a conduc' tor I05, switch members 14 and 15, a conductor I85, switch members 55, 52 and 53, a conductor I01, electromagnet 48 and conductors I04 and I05 to the lower terminal of transformer secondary winding 88.

Engagement of switch member 52 with contacts 55 and 54 completes an energizing circuit for motor field winding 28 which may be traced from the upper terminal of secondary winding 88 through conductors I00 and NI, contact 93, finger 9| bimetallic element 80, conductor I05, switch members 14 and 15, conductor I05, switch members 55, 52' and 54, a conductor I08, switch members 84 and 85, a conductor I09, winding 28, and conductors II'0 and-|05 to the lower terminal of transformer secondary winding 88.

The movement of armature 41 to its attracted position by electromagnet 48 also acts through the lever 44 to cause engagement of the clutch members 3| and 30. Therefore, upon energize.- tion of electromagnet 48, the motor 25 drives ,the valve I3 to an open positionthrough the ear train 33. When the valve'I3 reaches open position, the switch member 84 drops into a notch on the surface of the cam 83, thereby separating from switch member 85 and opening the circuit ofmotor winding 28. Motor 25 therefore stops,

but is held from reverse rotation by engagement of pawl 31 with ratchet wheel '35. As long as contacts 9| and 93 remain in engagement, the

holding circuit for the electromagnet 48, pre-- vious'ly described, remains energized, thereby maintaining clutch members 30 and 3| in engagement and keeping the valve in open position.

As soon as the valve I3 is open, fuel is supplied to the burner I2, where it is ignited by any suitable igniting means, of conventional type (not shown). The furnace then begins to heat air which is distributed to the space I0 through a suitable duct I8. As this heated air is delivered to the space, the temperature in the space I0 rises, and the thermostat 25 rotates the switch blades 9| and 92 in clockwise direction. As this rotation takes place, contacts 92 and 94 separate first, but since the fuel supply valve I3 is held open by a holding circuit which is independent of these contacts; their opening has no eifect on the system. As the bimetallic element continues to rotate the switch blades 9| and 92 in a clockwise direction, the blade 9| separates from the contact 93. This opens the previously traced holding circuit, thereby allowing armature 41 to move away from electromagnet 48 under the infiuence of the spring 55. This movement of 5 armature 41 causes disengagement of clutch members 30 and, 3|, thereby relieving clutch member 3| from the braking effect of ratchet and pawl35 and 31. The valve then is returned to closed position by the spring 24,. this motion H being opposed only by the friction in the unloaded ear train and the air vanes 29 on clutch member 3|.

In case of failure of the power supply, it may become necessary to open the valve I3 manually I5 in order to supply heat to the space I0. This may be done by pushing down on the extension 50 of lever arm I5. After the valve I3 has been thus opened, it may be latched open by lifting up on the right-hand end of lever 5|. When this is done, the lower end 59 of lever 5| engages the armature 41, forcing it down until the clutch members 30 and 3| are brought into engagement.

The ratchet 38 and pawl 31 are then effective to prevent reverse rotation of the motor necessary to allow the valve I3 to move to closed position.

When the lever arm 5| is moved to its latching position, the lower end 59 of lever 5| will be moved to an almost vertical position. The self-bias of flexible switch arm 53 then acts on the lever 5| and tends to turn it in a clockwise direction back toward its unlatched position. Armature 41 is held in engagement with the lower end 59 of lever 5| by means of the biasing spring 55, however, and the friction between armature 41 and lever 35 5| is suflicient to maintain it in its latched position against the bias of switch member 53. When it is desired to unlatch the valve manually, and allow itto return to its closed position, it is only necessary to move the lever arm 5| back to its normal or unlatched position. The armature 41 and its associated parts then return to the position shown in the drawing, wherein the clutch members 30 and 3| are disengaged. The biasing spring 24 is then efiective to return the valve I3 to closed position.

When the lever 5| is moved to its latched position, the insulating member 52 engages switch member 53 and forces it into engagement with switch 54. The movement of armature 41 by le- 0 ver 5| is just suificient to engage clutch members,

-, 30 and 3| without moving armature 41 all the way down into engagement with the core of electromagnet 48. An energizing circuit for electromagnet 48 is closed by engagement of contacts 53 and 54. This circuit may be traced from the upper terminal of secondary winding 88, through conductors I00 and H4, contacts 54 and 53, conductor I53, electromagnet 48, and conductors I04 and I05 to the lower terminal of secondary windwhile the switch 53, 54 is closed, the electromagnet 48 is immediately energized. This pulls armature 41 down into its attracted position and away from lever 5|, thereby releasing the friction which is holding it in its latched position and allowing the self-bias of switch arm 53 to kick the lever 5| back towards its unlatched position. This of course opens the energizing circuit for solenoid 48 which extends through contacts 53' and 54. If no other energizing circuit for the electromagnet 48 exists at this time, the armature 41 returns to the position shown in the drawing, and the valve I3 is closed by the biasing spring 24. If the thermostat 25 is calling for heat at this time, however, the electromagnet 48 remains ing 88. When power is returned to the system energized through the holding circuit previously described and the valve remains in open position. It will therefore be seen that after the valve has been manually opened, it is immediately returned to the control of the thermostat as soon as power is again supplied to the system.

Let it now be assumed that the valve I3 has been moved to open position and that it is maintained in that position by energization of electromagnet 48 under control of thermostat 28. Let it be further assumed that the furnace II' now becomes dangerously overheated, which condition may arisefrom some cause, as, for example, the accidental blocking 'of the outlet duct I8, which permits the room thermostat 26 to maintain the contacts 9| and 93 closed. The increase in temperature within the furnace II will expand the fluid in the bulb 65, thereby increasing its pressure. This increase in pressure is transmitted through the tube 68 through the bellows 61. Bellows 61 expands, acting on the lever II through the actuator I0, and moving the lever II counterclockwise, as it appears in Figure 1. As this movement of the lever II continues, its upper extension engages the switch members I3 and I4, separating them from the stationary switch members I5 and I6. This opens both the energizing and holding circuits for the electromagnet '48. Deenergization of electromagnet 43 allows position.

Let it now be assumed that the valve has been manually opened and manually latched in open position when an overheating of the furnace takes.

place. Such overheating is particularly liable to occur during manual operation of the furnace, as the person operating the furnace is apt toforget that he has manually opened the valve. This is especially true where the valve is one which returns automatically to control by the thermostat as soon as power is again supplied to the system. Most power failures nowadays are of such short duration that overheating of the furnace would not be likely to occur during the period of such power failure. The householder or other person operating the furnace is therefore apt to move the valve to open position and rely on the'return of power to unlatch he valve and return it to automatic control. In the event of an exceptionally long power failure, it is apparent that the furnace may become dangerously overheated. I have therefore provided means whereby the valve is returned to closed position upon overheating of the furnace, even during periods when the valve has been manually opened. As previously noted, the occurrence of an excessive temperature within the furnace I I causes movement of the lever II in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. If this motion continues, the screw 80 carried by lever II engages the extension 8| of lever 44 and forcibly disengages the clutch members 30 and 3|, thereby allowing the valve to return to closed position. The strain release spring 50 allows lever 44 to separate from armature I'I sufficiently to separate the clutch members 30 and 3|. Armature 41 therefore remains in its latched position, as determined by lever 6|. This, however, is unimportant, as the essential requirement is that the valve I3 be closed when an excessive temperature occurs in the furnace I I.

Figure 5 Figure 5 discloses a somewhat different type of system adapted particularly for the use of line voltage in the control circuit. The circuit connections ar therefore somewhat different than those described in connection with Figure 1. In Figure 5 also, the motor limit switch is mechanically interlocked with the pawl which engages the ratchet, so that the pawl can engage the ratchet only when the valve is in open position. It has been found that this arrangement eliminates the noise attendant upon operation of. the ratchet in the system of Figure 1.

In Figure 5, parts which correspond in structure and in function to similar parts in Figure 1 have been given reference characters in the 200 series corresponding to the reference character of the similar part in Figure 1. These parts will not be further described.

Parts which have no counterpart in Figure 1 have been assigned reference characters in the 300 series. These parts are described in detail hereinafter.

In Figure 5, the switch member 284 which is operated by cam 283, is rotatably mountedon a fixed pivot 300. Rigidly connected to member 284 so as to rotate therewith about the pivot 300 is an arm 30I. A spring 302 biases the link 30I in a direction such that member 204 is held in engagement with cam 283.

A pawl 303, adapted for engagement with ratchet wheel 236,- is mounted at one end of a bell-crank lever 304, pivoted at 305. A connecting link 306 is pivoted to the upper extremities of link 30I and lever 304.

The arrangement is such that when the notch on cam 283 passes under the follower 204, the latter is rotated about pivot 300 by spring 302. This motion is transmitted through links 3M and 306 and lever 304 to pawl 303, and the latter is moved into engagement with ratchet wheel 236.

Figure 5 shows a thermostat 3I0 of a diflerent type than the thermostat 26 of Figure 1. Thermostat 3 I 0 comprises a bimetallic element 3I I which supports a single switch finger 3I2. A stationary contact 3I3 is positioned for engagement by the switch finger 3I2. The finger 3I2 is at least partially made of magnetic material, and a permanent magnet 3I4 is positioned adjacent the contact 3I3 in order to impart a snap action to the movement of finger 3I2, in a manner well known in the art. The construction is such that the switch finger 3I2 is moved counter-clockwise upon a drop in temperature, as indicated by the legend in the drawing. I

Power is supplied to the system from a pair of lines 320 and 32I, which may be commercial power lines, or may be connected to any convenient source of electrical energy.

Operation of Figure 5 When the parts are in the position shown in the drawing, the thermostat 3I0 is satisfied. In other words, the temperature of the space 2I0 is above the value which the thermostat 3I0 has been set to maintain, and the thermostat is therefore not calling for heat. The valve 2I3 is therefore closed, and the furnace 2| I is not in operation.

Let it be assumed that the temperature of the space 2I0 drops with .the result that the bimetallic element 3| I moves the contact finger 3I2 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby causing its engagement with'contact 3I3.

When contacts 3I2 and 3I3 engage, an energizing circuit is completed for the electromagnet 248. This circuit may be traced from the power line 328 through limit control switch contacts 215 and 213, conductors 322 and 323, bimetallic element 311, switch finger 312, contact 313, conductors 324, 325 and 326, and electromagnet 248 to the opposite power supply line 321.

Engagement of switch contacts 312 and 313 also completes an energizing circuit for motor field winding 228 which may be traced from the power supp y line 328 through limit control switch contacts 215 and 213, conductors 322 and 323, bimetallic element311, switch finger 312, contact 313, conductors 324 and 325, switch members 285 and 284, a conductor 321, winding 228, and a conductor 328 to the other power line 321.

Energization of the electromagnet 248 causes armature 241 to be attracted. The movement of armature 241 to its attracted position by solenoid 248 acts through the lever 244 to cause engagement of the clutch members 231 and 238. Therefore, upon energization of winding 228, the motor 225 drives the valve 213 to an open position through the gear train 233. When the valve 213 reaches open position, the switch member 284 drops into a notch on the surface of the cam 283, thereby separating switch member 285 and opening the circuit of motor winding 228. Simultaneously; as previously explained, pawl 383 moves into engagement with ratchet wheel 236. Motor 225 therefore stops, but is held from reverse rotation by engagement of pawl 383 with ratchet wheel 236. As long as contacts 312 and 314 remain in engagement, the circuit for the electromagnet 248, previously described, remains energized, thereby maintaining clutch members 238 and 231 in engagement and keeping the valve in open position.

As soon as the valve 213 is open, fuel is supplied to the burner 212, where it is ignited by any suitable igniting means, of conventional type (not shown). The furnace then begins to heat air which is distributed to the space 218 througha suitable duct 218. As this heated air is delivered to the space, the temperature in the space rises, and the thermostat 318 rotates the switch blade 312 in clockwise direction. As the bimetallic element rotates-the switch blade 312 in a clockwise direction, it separatesfrom the contact 313. This opens the previously traced circuit through electromagnet 248 thereby allowing armature 241 to move away from electromagnet 248 under the influence of the spring 256. This movement of armature 241 causes disengagement of clutch members 238 and 231, thereby relieving clutch member 231 from the braking efiect of ratchet 236 and pawl 383. The valve then is returned to closed position by the spring 228, this motion being opposed only by the friction in the unloaded gear train.

In case of failure of the power supply, it may become necessary to open the valve 213 manually in order to supply heat to the space 218. This may be done by pushing down on the extension 268 of lever arm 216. After the valve 213 has been thus opened, it may be latched open by lifting up on the right-hand end of lever 261. When this is done, the lower end 253 of lever 261 engages the armature 241, forcing it down until the clutch members 238 and 231 are brought into engagement. The ratchet 236 and pawl 383 are then effective to prevent the reverse rotation of the motor necessary to allow the valve 213 to move to closed position. When the lever arm 261 is moved to its latching position, the lower end 253 of lever 261 will be moved to an almost vertical position. The self bias of flexible switch arm 263 then acts on the lever 261' and tends to turn it in a clockwise direction back toward its unlatched position. Armature 241 is held in en- Bagement with the lower end of lever 261 by means of the biasing spring 256, however, and the friction between armature 241 and lever 261 is sufiicient to maintain it in its latched position against the bias of switch member 263. When it is desired to unlatch the valve manually, and

allow it to return to its closed position, it is only necessary to move the lever arm 261 back to its normal or unlatched position. The armature 241 and its associated parts will then return to the positio shown in the drawing, wherein the clutch embers 238 and 231 are disengaged. The biasing spring 224 is then effective to return the valve 213 to closed position.

When the lever 261 is moved to its latched position, it engages switch member 263 and forces it into engagement with switch 264. The movement of armature 241 by lever 261 is just sufiicient to engage clutch members 238 and 231 without moving armature 241 all the way down into engagement with the core of solenoid 248. An energizing circuit for electromagnet 248 is closed by engagement of contacts 263 and 264. This circuit may be traced from the power supply line 328 through the limit control contacts 215 and 213, conductors 322 and 328, switch contacts 264 and 263, conductors 329, 325, and 326, and electromagnet 248 to the opposite power line 321. When power is returned to the system while its switch 263, 264 is closed, the solenoid 248 is immediately energized. This pulls armature 241 down into its attracted position and away from lever 261, thereby releasing the friction which is holding it in its attracted position and allowing the self-bias of switch arm 263 to kick the lever 261 back towards its unlatched 'position. This of course opens the energizing circuit for solenoid 248 which extends through contacts 263 and 264. If no other energizing circuit for the electromagnet 248 exists at this time, the armature 241 returns to the position shown in the drawing,

and the valve 213 is closed by the biasing spring 224. If the thermostat 318 is calling for heat at this time however, the electromagnet 248 remains energized through the energizing circuit first described and the valve remains in open position. It will therefore be seen that after the valve has been manually opened, it is immediately returned to the control of the thermostat as soon as power is again supplied to the system.

Let it now be assumed that the valve 213 has been moved to open position and that it is maintained in that position by energization of electromagnet 248 under control of thermostat 318. Let it further be assumed that the furnace 211 now becomes dangerously overheated, which condition may arise from some cause, as for example, the accidental blocking of the outlet duct 218, which permits the room thermostat 318 to maintain the contacts 312 and 313 closed. The increase in temperature within the furnace 211 expands the fluid in the bulb 265, thereby increasing' its pressure. This increase in pressure is transmitted through the tube 266 to the bellows 261. Bellows 261 expands acting on the lever 211 for the electromagnet 248. Deenergization of electromagnet 248 allows the armature 2" to move to its retracted position, thereby disengaging the clutch members 230 and Ill and allowing the valve M8 to return to its closed position.

Let it now be assumed that the valve has been manually opened and manually latched in open position when an overheating of the furnace takes place. As previously noted, the occurrence of an excessive temperature within the furnace Ill portant, as the essential requirement is that the valve 2l3 be closed when an excessive tempera'-' ture occurs in the furnace 2| I.

While I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it should therefore be understood that my invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a fluid fuel burner, a valve controlling the supply of fuel to said bumer, means biasing said valve to closed position, electrical means for opening said valve and maintaining said valve in open position, a source of electrical energy, thermostatic switch means for controlling the supply of electrical energy from said source to said electrical means, normally closed switch means connected in series with said electrical means, means for manually opening said valve and latching the same in open position during power failure conditions, and thermostatic means responsive to a limiting condition for opening said normally closed switch means andreleasing said latching means when said limiting condition exceeds a predetermined value.

2. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical means for moving said member to a second active position and maintaining it in said second position, switch means operable to deenergize said electrical means and allow said member to return to said first safe position, manually operable means for moving said means and mechanically releasing said latch means to insure return of said member to said first safe position when said limiting condition is reached.

3. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, means including a motor for'driving said member from said first position to a second active position, one-way braking means connected to said motor for preventing reverse rotation thereof, clutch means for connecting said motor and braking means to said member, means for operating said clutch including a movable armature and a strain release connection between said armature and said clutch, and control means responsive .to a limiting condition for releasing said clutch independently of said armature by extending said strain'release connection.

4. In combination, a member biased to a first s'afe position, means including a, motor for driving said member from said first position to a second active oosltiomone-way braking means connected to said motor for preventing reverse rotation thereof, clutch means ,for connecting said motor and braking means to said member, means for operating said clutch including a movable armature and a-straln release connection between said armature and said clutch, electrical means for moving said armature to operate said clutch, switch means operable when open to deenergize said electrical means and cause disengagement of said clutch, manual means for operating said armature to cause engagement of said clutch, and control means responsive to a limiting condition to open said switch when said condition exceeds a predetermined value, and thereafter to mechanically release said clutch independently of said armature.

5. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical motor means for operating said member to a second active position, an energizing circuit for said motor including a switch. brake meansoperabie to prevent movement 0! said motor means in reverse direction, and mechanical means operated by said motor when said member reaches said second position for opening said switch and operating said brake means to prevent reverse movement of said motor.

6. A temperature control system for a space, comprising in combination, means for supplying heat to said space including a control member movable between heat decreasing and heat increasing positions, means biasing said member to said heat decreasing position, electrical motor means for driving said member to said heat in creasing position, ratchet mean for preventing reverse movement of said motor, clutch means for connecting said motor and ratchet means to said member, means for operating said clutch means including an electromagnet and an armature actuated thereby, first switch, means operated by movement of said armature, second switch means operated by said motor, third switch means ineluding two pairs of sequentially engageable contacts, thermostatic means exposed to the temperature in said space for operating said third switch means so as to close said pairs of contacts in sequence upon afall in temperature and to open said contacts in reverse sequence upon a rise in temperature, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet including both said pairs of contacts, a holding circuit for said electromagnet including said first switch means and the first to close of said pairs of contacts, and an energizing circuit for said motor including said first and second switch means and the first to close of said pairs of contacts.

'1. In combination, a member movable between a first safe position and a second active position, means biasing said member to said first position, means for moving said member to said second position against said biasing means, brake means for holding said member in saidsecond position against the action of said biasing means, clutch means for connecting said member and said brake means, means for operating said clutch means including a manually movable lever and latch means for maintaining said lever in clutch engaged position, strain release means connecting said lever and said clutch, and means responzlve to a limiting condition .for mechanically disengaging said clutch means without regard to the position of said lever by extending said, strain release connection.

'ating said clutch means, and

8. In combination, a membermovable between a first safe position and a second active, position,

' means biasing said member to said first position,

means for moving said member to said second position against said biasing means, brake means for holding said member in said second position against the action of said biasing means, clutch means for connecting said member and said brake means, means for operating said clutch means including an electromagnet and an armature therefor, said armature being connected to said clutch means, means for biasing said armature to a first position in which said clutch is disengaged, said electromagnet being eflective upon energization thereof to move said armature to a second position in which said clutch is engaged, automatic means controlling the energization of said electromagnet, manual means including a lever operable during power failure conditions to move said armature to a third position intermediate said first and second positions,

said clutch being engaged when said armature is in said third position, means for biasing said lever to a normal position spaced from said arma- 9. In combination, a member movable between a first safe position and a secondactive position, means biasing said member to said first position,

means for moving said member to said second.

position against said biasing means, brake means for holding said member in said second position against the action of said biasing means, clutch means for connecting said member and said brake means, an'electromagnet for actuating said clutch means, said electromagnet operating when reaches said second position for opening said switch and operating. saidbrake means to prevent reverse movement of said motor.

' 11-. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical motor means for operating said member to a second active position, an

energizing circuit for said motor including a switch, brake means operable to prevent movement of said motor means in reverse direction, clutch means for connecting said motor and brake means with said member, electromagnetic means for operating said clutch means and eiTective when energized to connect said motor and brake means with said member, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for movement of said member for simultaneously energizmg said electromagnetic means and said motor, and mechanical means operated by said motor when said member reaches said second position for opening said switch and operating said brake means to prevent reverse movement of said motor.

12. In combinatioma member biased to a first safe position, electrical motor means for operating said member to a second active position, an energizing circuit for said motor including a switch, brake means operable to prevent movement of said motor means in reverse direction,

.clutch means for connecting said motor and brake means with said member, electromagnetic means for operating said clutch means and effective when energized to connect said motor and brake means with said member, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for movement of said member for simultaneously energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor, mechanical means operated by said motor when said member reaches said second position for opening said switch and operating said brake means to prevent reverse movement of said motor, manual means for moving said member to said second position and thereby operating said brake, manual means for operating said clutch means to connect said motor and brake means with said member, and means responsive to a limiting condition for deenergizing said elecenergized to connect said member and said brake means, manual means for actuating said clutch means to connect said member and said brake means, said manual means being biased to a normal position where it does not afiect operation of said clutch means, latch means for maintaining said manual means in clutch engaging position, a connection between said electromagnet and said latch means for releasing said latch upon energization of said electromagnet, and means responsive to a limiting condition to deenergize said electromagnet when said condition exceeds a predetermined value, and effective upon continued increase of said condition beyond said predetermined value to mechanically operate said clutch to disconnect said member from said brake means,

10. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical motor means for operating said member to a second active position, an energizing circuit for said motor including a switch, brake means operable to prevent movement of said motor means in reverse direction, clutch means for connecting said motor and brake means with said member, means for opermechanical means tromagnetic means and operating said clutch to disconnect said member from said motor and brake means.

13. In combination,- a member movable between a first safe position and a second active position, means biasing said member to said first position, means for moving said member to said second position against said biasing means, brake means for holding said member in said second position against the action of said biasing means, clutch means for connecting said member and said brake means, means for operating said clutch means including an electromagnet and an armature actuated thereby, holding switch means operated by movement of said armature, control switch means including two pairs of sequentially engageable contacts, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for operation of said member for operating said control switch means so as to close said pairs of contactsin sequence upon a change of said condition in one direction, and to open said pairs of contacts in reverse sequence upon a change in said condition in the opposite direction, an energizing circuit for said e1ectromagnet including both pairs of contacts,-and a holding circuit for said electromagnet including said holding switch means and operated by said motor when m member the first to close of said pairs of contacts.

14. In combination, a member movable between a first safe position and a second active position, means biasing said 'member to said first position,-means formoving said member to said second position against said biasing means, brake means for holding said member in said second position against the action of said biasing means, clutch. means for connecting said member and said brake means, a condition responsive element responsive to a limiting condition, and means mechanically connecting said condition responsive element to said clutch means for mechanically disengaging said clutch means when said limiting condition assumes a predetermined value.

15. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical means including a motor operable when energized to move said member to a second active position and to maintain said member in said position, said electrical means being adapted to be controlled by a switch responsive to a controlling condition, clutch means between saidv electrical means and said member, manual means for moving said member to said active position and for engaging said clutch dur; ing periods of electrical power failure, and nonelectrical means responsive to a limiting condition for mechanically disconnecting said clutch means during such periods of power failure when said limiting condition assumes a predetermined value.

16. In combination, a member biased to a first safe position, electrical means including a motor operable when energized to move said member to a second active position and to maintain said member in said position, said electrical means being adapted to be controlled by a switch responsive to a controlling condition, clutch means between said. electrical means and said member, and non-electrical means responsive to a limiting condition for mechanically disconnecting said clutch means independently of said electrical means when said limiting condition assumes a predetermined value, said last named means comprising an expansible chamber and bulb filled with a temperature sensitive fluid, said chamber being operatively connected to said clutch element solely by mechanical connections.

17. In combination, a member biased to a first sate position, electrical motor means for moving said member to a second active position when said motor means is energized, driving connections between said motor means and member including a clutch and eflective when said clutch is engaged to prevent movement of said member to said safe position despite deenergization of said motor means, means for operating said clutch including a movable armature and a strain release connection between said armature and said clutch, and control means responsive to a limiting condition for releasing said clutch independently of said armature by extending said strain release connection.

RANDOLPH E. DI VE'I'IE. 

